DATING CUBAN CIGAR BOXES AFTER 1960

The above is proof that the "Hecho en Cuba" stamp that you see on the right was used as early as April17, 1960 as indicated on this Comision Nacional del Tabaco Habano commemorative box.

One single oval and a crisp clean and clear "Hecho en Cuba" inside the oval.the stamp measures a precise 55.84mm wide or 2.2" wide.Technically this is still a pre-embargo box (pre 1963).

March 1985 and used until 1998 saw the introduction of the CUBATABACO leaf design above the Hecho en Cuba (65mm or 2.55"). In an attempt to distinguish legitimate Cuban cigars from fakes a NIVELACUSO code has been added.Note the totalmente a mano to designate that these were hand made cigars.This box dates from November 1993.

The Hecho en Cuba stamp is larger and now measures 69.54mm or 2.734".Note the abscense of the "totalmente a mano" meaning that these were machine made.This box dates to 2001 when a new date code system (one of many) was introduced.